Campaign '88 : Patrick Kennedy Wins

Patrick Kennedy on Wednesday became the latest member of his famous family to win a race for public office, soundly defeating a state representative in a Democratic primary in Rhode Island.

Kennedy, a 21-year-old junior at Providence College and son of Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, beat five-term incumbent state Rep. John F. Skeffington Jr. in a west Providence district. He has no Republican opposition in the November general election.

With all seven polling places reporting, Kennedy had 1,324 votes, or 57%, while Skeffington had 1,009 votes, or 43%.

Skeffington had questioned whether Kennedy was committed to the area and suggested he was trying to use the race as a steppingstone to Congress.

In the 1st Congressional District, Rep. Fernand J. St Germain (D-R. I.) held off a strong challenge from political consultant Scott Wolf, winning 55% of the vote.